Even as valley fever cases are sharply increasing in Central California, Governor Jerry Brown has vetoed legislation that would have created programs to inform the public about the little-known respiratory disease.

Estimates of valley fever cases recorded by local, state and federal agencies vary so widely that they call into question the accuracy of the figures released to the public, a Center for Health Journalism Collaborative investigation has found.

California’s current record-setting drought appears to be exacerbating the ongoing epidemic of valley fever, a sometimes debilitating, and even deadly, disease caused by fungal spores embedded in dry dirt.

ByRACHEL COOK
Reporting on Health Collaborative |September 23, 2013

Top federal health officials are traveling to Bakersfield this week to hear the stories of valley fever survivors and discuss how to bring greater awareness of and funding for the sometimes crippling disease.

Valley fever, a disease people contract from breathing fungal spores contained in soil, has reached epidemic proportions in parts of California. Yet it is so little known and misunderstood that people have died without ever having known they had it.

In #CA39 Gil Cisneros’ lead over Young Kim widens to 3,495 votes today (up from yesterday’s 3,020 vote lead). Today’s count includes an update from OC. Kim maintains a lead in OC, while Cisneros is still ahead overall for the district, at 50.78%.

In #CA49 Mike Levin maintains his lead at 55.5% over Diane Harkey. Today's updated count includes just Orange County where Levin gained 313 votes from yesterday and Harkey gained 189. Harkey maintains a lead for *just* the Orange County portion of votes at now 5,043.

In the 34th State Senate race Janet Nguyen's election night lead of 18% dropped to 5.6% last Saturday and is 0.24% today. Today's count includes an update from OC, but not LA. Nguyen gained 2,975 votes from yesterday, Umberg gained 3,644.

During Voice of OC’s year-end fundraiser, donations from individuals will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $1,000. Also, new recurring donations of $20 a month or $240 a year also include a NYTimes digital subscription.

On Election Day, President Trump drove unprecedented voter turnout in Orange County, nearly 65 percent of registered voters visited the polls. That hasn’t been seen during a midterm election in Orange County since the 1970s. The results don’t bode well for the GOP but there’s a deeper message here for incumbents: Engage the public or peril.